Christian Mathematics Teachers group

There is a new Google group for Christian mathematics teachers. I think it will be of interest to those who teach mathematical sciences, home school parents, public school teachers who are Christian, Christian school teachers - elementary, middle school, high school, college, and beyond.
You can subscribe to the group by emailing christian-mathematics-teachers+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You can also join by going to https://groups.google.com/d/forum/christian-mathematics-teachers

One of the first posts/discussions was about resources for thinking Biblically about mathematics and teaching mathematics. The post included the following information:
 
On my website are some resources for mathematics teachers. [Update: My school website ceased to work in 2021. The following links will be to my files on dropbox.] These "Topical Mathematical Memory Verses" are a great way to begin class or to use as a personal devotional to remember why you study or teach mathematics. Here is a list of the verses.

Colossians1:²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that he powerfully works within me.

Whether we teach the redeemed or the unregenerate (those who are not Christians), may we strive with His energy to teach everyone with all wisdom (as Paul said in Col 1:29).

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Two more book recommendations:
On the way home from the Teachers Teaching with Technology International Conference I was reading a "Redeeming Science" by Vern Poythress chapter 22 "A Christian Approach to Mathematics"

The book is available for free at
http://www.frame-poythress.org/Poyth...ce20061017.pdf

(As I was looking up the link again to post here, I came across some reviews. I appreciated the warning about his view on Creation. I guess I hadn't got to those pages.)

I recently posted on my blog http://bird-godlydominion.blogspot.com/ about mathematical modeling. At the end of this post I link to a video by John Byl. Dr. Byl also wrote a great book related to mathematics and the Biblical Christian worldview.

Okay, I just came across this blog as I was looking for a link to the Christian Mathematics Teachers Google Group so we can share the link to join. Cheryl shares three books and gives a brief review. Has anyone read any of these?

For more on the Biblical Christian perspective and how it relates to mathematics, mathematical sciences, and education, there is a group called the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences. I have enjoyed their conference that meets once every two years. http://www.acmsonline.org/index.html

Most of their members are college professors. Although this group will likely have teachers who are not at the university level, college professors and those who are more loosely connected with education (homeschoolers, publishers) are welcome here.

I've had the opportunity to present at some of the ACSI conferences. The papers and PowerPoints are available here:

• 6 yea 7 ways Scripture is used in our math & science classes.pdf

[The following links don't currently work July 2021, but I'm trying to get those files.]

• 6 yea 7 ways Scritpure is Integral to our Science and Math Classes.ppt
• James Clerk Maxwell and Why Read Biographies pdf
• James Clerk Maxwell ppt

Edit a Mathematical Model

Modeling is really important. For example, Common Core Math Practice #4 says, "Model with mathematics." Actually that is what tonight's webinar is about, "Model with Mathematics in the Common Core Algebra Classroom with TI-Nspire Technology."
The only TI-Nspire tool that actually says MODEL is in the Vernier DataQuest app. It is under Analyze.
On the handheld or software you can easily use the DataQuest application even if are not using a Vernier sensor. Click the Table View, or Tab and arrow to it, or press Menu, View, Table.
Put in your x and y data.
You actually don't even need to do this to use the Model tool, but it does make sense to mathematically model data.  This Model tool is the easiest way to set up 'sliders.' You will also get the smallest 'minimized sliders' that you can find on the TI-Nspire. They are referred to as spinners. That's why you'll see the 'spin increment' field. (I think spinners is a common designation for these 'minimized sliders' for people in other parts of the world. Many Americans have asked me why they are called spinners.)
When recently using model, I accidentally pressed enter. The model appeared before I had a chance to set the spinners to what I wanted them. This happened to several participants in a recent presentation workshop too. I heard a quality participant (thanks Diane) request for there to be a way to modify the spinner size AFTER you accidentally press enter.

I'm excited to report that you can change the set up to the model after it has been created. Clicking on the model just expands the model (this is the expected behavior in the left panel on DataQuest), BUT right-click on the word Model allows you to "Modify Model." On the handheld the contextual 'right-click' menu is activated by pressing ctrl menu when you are in the desired location. 

Here is a great video I just came across that explains more about models in science and theology by John Byl.

Blabbering Pine Marten

I just got back from iMATHination math/science/technology conference where I shared the exciting features of the TI-Nspire CX CAS and the TI-Nspire Navigator. It was quite an adventure getting to the conference at the Q Center in St. Charles, West of Chicago. While driving up there, 6-9 inches of snow came down. The last hour of the drive turned into 4 hours. I grateful to have made it there safely and in time to give my Friday nigh Math Bash presentation called "Hands-on Learning of Slope: Math and Science Connections with the TI-Nspire CX CAS, Navigator and the Vernier DataQuest Application."

From one of the sessions I attended I learned about a website called Blabberize.com. My second oldest daughter used it to do her science project. When making the mouth, the large green dot indicates how low the mouth will drop. It was hilarious fun to make. Enjoy the production.

Update: If we would have watched this video tutorial, it would have been even easier to make our first 'Blabber.' Exploring is nice, but trial and error can be time consuming. I also discovered an example of how this Web2.0 tool can be using in the mathematics classroom.

I wonder if this blabberizing animals can be considered an application of Genesis 1:28 - having dominion of living things that move on the earth.